Explosively opened production valve including a frangible breakup element operated by tubing pressure or rathole pressure or both
United States Patent 05318126

A production valve includes an outer housing having a production port, a piston disposed within the outer housing and adapted to move from one position to another position, a frangible breakup element supporting the piston in the one position, and a detonating cord adapted for propagating a detonation wave passing through the center of the piston and the breakup element. The detonation wave shatters the frangible breakup element when the detonation wave, propagating within the detonating cord, passes through the breakup element. When the breakup element shatters, the support provided to the piston by the breakup element is removed. When the support provided to the piston by the breakup element is removed, the piston moves from the one position to the other position in response to either tubing pressure or rathole pressure or both, and the production port of the production valve opens when the piston moves to the other position.